Lady E. [Aside.] Yes, the lynx has me-I thought I should not escape. -[To him.] No, sir; my poor abilities only extend to an amicable endeavour here.[TO MISS ALSCRIP.] And really, Miss Alscrip, I see no reason for your being dispirited; there may be many ready-made titles at market, within the reach of your purse. Or, why should not a woman of your consequence originate her own splendour? There's an old admirer of mine-he would make a very pretty lordand indeed, would contribute something on his own part, to ease the purchase-The Blandish family is well with all administrations, and a new coronet is always as big again as an old one. I don't see how you could lay out part of your independency to more advantage.

Bland. [Aside.] Yes, but since flaws are in fashion, I shall look a little into things before I agree to the bargain.

Miss Als. [Aside.] I'll die before I'll discover my vexation-and yet, [Half crying.] no title-no place.

Lady E. Depend upon it, Miss Alscrip, your place will be found exactly where it ought to be. The public eye, in this country, is never long deceived-Believe me-and cherish obscurity-Title may bring forward merits, but it also places our defects in horrid relief.

Alscrip. Molly, the sooner we get out of court the better-we have d-nably the worst of this cause; so come along, Molly-[Taking her under the arm. ]-and farewel to Berkeley Square. Whoever wants Alscrip House, will find it in the neighbourhood of Furnival's Inn, with the noble title of scrivener, in capitalsblank bonds at the windows, and a brass knocker at the door. [Pulling her.] Come along, Molly.

Miss Als. [Half crying.-Aside.] Oh! the barbarous metamorphosis;-but his flusterums for a week, will serve my temper as a regimen. I will then take the management of my affairs into my own hands, and

break from my cloud anew and you shall find [To the company.] there are those without a coronet, that can be as saucy, and as loud, and stop the way in all public places, as well as the best of you. [LADY EMILY laughs.] Yes, madam, and without borrowing your ladyship's airs.

Alscrip. [Pulling her.] Come along, Molly.

Miss Als. Oh, you have been a jewel of a father!

[The company laugh.-Exeunt Mr. and Miss ALSCRIP.-MR. and MRS. BLANDISH stay behind. Lady E. Mrs. Blandish, sure you do not leave your friend, Miss Alscrip, in distress?

Mrs. Bland. We'll not disturb the ashes of the dead -my sweet Lady Emily

Bland. Oh, my sweet sister, none of your flourishes— in the present mood of the company, even mine would not do. Truth and sentiment have the ascendency. But let them alone; and they'll come round again.— [Addressing the company.] Flattery is the diet of good humour; and not one of you can live without it; and when you quarrel with the family of Blandish, you only leave refined cookery, to be fed upon scraps, by a poor cousin or a led captain.

[Taking his sister under his arm. Mrs. Bland. [With a look of courtship to the company.] Oh! the two charming pairs!

Bland. [Pulling her away.] Oh! thou walking dedication! [Exeunt.

Lord G. Precious group, fare ye well.—[ To SIR CLEMENT.] And now, sir, whatever may be your determinations towards me-here are pretensions you may patronize without breach of discretion. The estate

which devolves to my friend.

Rightly. To prevent errors-is not his to bestow.
Sir C. What now-more flaws?

Rightly. The estate was his beyond the reach of controversy; but before he was truly sure of it, on his way

to Hyde Park, did this spendthrift, by a stroke of his pen, divest himself of every shilling. Here is the covenant by which he binds himself to execute proper conveyances, as soon as the necessary forms can be gone through.

Lord G. And in favour of whom is this desperate

act?

Rightly. Of a most dangerous seducer-a little mercenary, that, when she gets hold of the heart, does not leave an atom of it our own.

All. How?

Rightly. [With feeling ] And there she stands, [Pointing to MISS CLIFFORD.] with a look and an emotion that would condemn her before any court in the uni

verse.

Lady E. Glorious-matchless Clifford !

Miss Cliff. Brother, this must not be.

Cliff. Your pardon, my dear Harriet, it is done. Sir Clement, my sister's fortune is still far short of what you expected with Miss Alscrip; for that deficiency, I have only to offer the virtues Lord Gayville has proved, and the affection she found it easier to control, than to conceal. If you will receive her, thus circumstanced, into your family, mine has been an acquisition indeed.

Lady E. [Coming up to SIR CLEMENT.] Now, sir, where's the suspicion? Where is now the ruling principle that governs mankind? Through what perspective, by what trial, will you find self-interest here ?— What, not one pithy word to mock my credulity!— Alas! poor Yorick-quite chop-fallen.-Forgive me, sir, I own I am agitated to extravagance-You found me disconcerted at the first discovery; I am delighted at the last there's a problem of my disposition worthy your solving.

Sir C. [Who has been profoundly thoughtful.] Mr. Rightly, favour me with that paper in your hand.

1

Rightly. Mr. Clifford's engagement, sir. [Gives the paper: SIR CLEMENT looks it over, and tears it.] What do you mean, sir?

Sir C. To cancel the obligation, and pay the equivalent to Gayville; or if Clifford will have his own way, and become a beggar by renewing it, to make an heiress of my own for his reparation—and there she stands. [Pointing to LADY EMILY.] With sensibility and vivacity so uncommonly blended, that they extract benevolence wherever it exists, and create it where it never was before.-Your point is carried-You may both fall upon your knees for the consent of the ladies.

Lord G. [To MISS CLIFFORD.] In this happy moment, let my errors be forgot, and my love alone remembered.

Miss Cliff. With these sanctions for my avowal-I will not deny that I saw and felt the sincerity of your attachment, from the time it was capable of being restrained by respect.

Cliff. Words are wanting, Lady Emily

Lady E. I wish they may, with all my heart; but it is generally remarked, that wanting words is the beginning of a florid set speech.-To be serious, Clifford

-We want but little explanation on either side-Sir. Clement will tell you how long we have conversed by our actions. [Gives her hand.] My dear uncle, how a smile becomes you in its natural meaning!

Sir C. If you think me a convert, you are mistaken : I have ever believed self to be the predominant principle of the human mind-My heart at this instant confirms the doctrine. There's my problem for yours, my dear Emily; and all who hear me agree in

may

this solution to reward the deserving, and make those we love happy, is self-interest in the extreme.

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER,

A COMEDY.

BY

OLIVER GOLDSMITH.